Ocean and Coastal Observations

Detect rapid changes and episodic events, as well as long-term changes in the climate system

Identify physics and parameterizations that will improve weather forecasting and climate models

Evaluate the accuracy of satellite products and model output

Scientists deploy moored buoys in the tropics and other locations to create global observation systems. Efforts include measuring air-sea exchanges of energy and moisture in real time, communicating these to the world research community, and analyzing and modeling the effects of changes in the oceans on global climate.